Actor Russell Brand Sentenced to Prison

Russell Brand was convicted of rape and sexual assault on Thursday, bringing a close to a criminal trial that examined allegations spanning more than two decades.

Judge Joel Bennathan told the court that Brand faces a substantial prison term when he is formally sentenced on Monday. The judge denied a request for bail, citing the risk that the defendant might flee, and Brand was taken into custody immediately after the verdict.

The jury of eight men and four women deliberated for more than eight hours over two days before returning their decision. Brand was found guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault. He was acquitted of two other rape counts and one count of attempted indecent assault.

Prosecutors described Brand as a manipulative sexual predator who used his fame to exploit women. Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy of London's Metropolitan Police stated that the conviction demonstrated the courage of the women who reported the incidents. Furphy added that Brand’s sense of entitlement grew as his public profile expanded.

The specific charges involved incidents dating from 1999 to 2009. The convictions include an anally rape of a fan in 2009 and a sexual assault at a London bar in 2004. Brand was found guilty of groping a woman at a radio station in 2004 or 2005 and assaulting another woman during an advertisement recording in 2009. He was cleared of a rape charge related to a hotel stay in Bournemouth in 1999 and an attempted assault at an MTV office.

Brand, 51, maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. He testified that he had a promiscuous life as a young man but never forced anyone against their will. He stated that the legal process had consumed his life and that friends and colleagues had abandoned him. His wife, Laura, served as a character witness in his defense.

Brand was known for his stand-up comedy and television work in the early 2000s, including a BBC radio show and appearances in Hollywood films. In recent years, he moved to Florida and built an online following by discussing wellness and religious topics. He was briefly married to pop star Katy Perry.

As the guilty verdict was read, Brand closed his eyes but showed little visible emotion. When bail was denied, he gestured to his lawyers and repeatedly said he was good before leaving the courtroom. Judge Bennathan acknowledged the hardship the case caused to Brand's children, noting that the difficulty resulted from the father's criminal conduct.